1818 – 1861

Nathaniel Lyon

first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War

military officer

Born

1818-07-14, Ashford

Died

1861-08-10

Birthplace state

Connecticut

Biography

Nathaniel Lyon was born in Ashford, Connecticut in 1818 and died on August 10, 1861. A United States Army officer, he was the first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War. In 1861 at the start of the conflict, he took actions in Missouri to forestall secret secessionist plans of Governor Claiborne Jackson.

Occupation

Nathaniel Lyon is recorded as a military officer, born in Connecticut (1818–1861).

Connections to Connecticut

Nathaniel Lyon was born in Ashford, Connecticut in 1818. Explore other notable figures from Connecticut, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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Everything a full report reveals about Ashford

Nathaniel Lyon came from Ashford. A full Aubrey report on Ashford pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview

An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.

The Land

The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.

Geology

The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.

LiDAR Terrain

Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.

Conflict & War

The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.

The Civil War

The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.

The Soldiers

The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.

Native Heritage

The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.

Settlement

Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.

The Community

How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.

Rivers & Rail

The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.

Notable People

The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.

Historical Maps

Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.

Finds & Access

Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.

Literature

The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.

Spotlight

A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.

Points of Interest

The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.

Timeline

The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.

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More notable figures from Connecticut

Other historical figures born in Connecticut, ranked by historical prominence.

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Harriet Beecher Stowe

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P. T. Barnum

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Barbara McClintock

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Ernest Borgnine

American actor (1917–2012)

J. P. Morgan

American financier, banker, and art collector (1837–1913)

Robert Mitchum

American actor (1917–1997)

Frequently asked about Nathaniel Lyon

Who was Nathaniel Lyon?

Nathaniel Lyon was first Union general to be killed in the American Civil War, born in Connecticut (1818 – 1861).

When and where was Nathaniel Lyon born?

Nathaniel Lyon was born on 1818-07-14 in Ashford.

When did Nathaniel Lyon die?

Nathaniel died on 1861-08-10.

What was Nathaniel Lyon known for?

Nathaniel Lyon is recorded as a military officer.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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